Androgen composition for treating an opthalmic condition

ABSTRACT

The disclosure provides compositions for treating an ocular condition. The composition comprises a physiologically effective amount of an androgen, wherein the composition is suitable for topical administration to an eye. The disclosure further provides methods for treating an ocular condition with the disclosed compositions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/436,274 filed on Jan. 26,2011, and which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Blepharitis is a disorder of the meibomian glands, which produce thelipid component of tear film. Both the upper and lower eye lids contain30-40 glands, located beneath the skin. The glandular pores open justbehind the base of the eye lashes on the eye lid margin. Withblepharitis, the glands become inflamed and the pores become blocked.Symptoms of blepharitis include eye irritation, soreness, redness and anaccumulation of matter on the eyelids. Patients may also experience dryeye as well. As a result of these symptoms, blepharitis is commonlymisdiagnosed as conjunctivitis or dry eye.

In certain cases, a local androgen deficiency can cause blepharitis.Topical compositions containing an androgen would be desirable for thetreatment of blepharitis.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The disclosure provides compositions and methods for treating one ormore ocular conditions.

In one embodiment, a composition is provided comprising aphysiologically effective amount of an androgen, wherein saidcomposition is suitable for topical administration to an eye.

In another embodiment, a method for treating an ocular conditionresulting from an androgen deficiency is disclosed. The method comprisesadministering an effective amount of an ophthalmic compositioncomprising a physiologically effective amount of an androgen, whereinsaid composition is suitable for topical administration to an eye, andwherein at least one symptom of the ocular condition is alleviated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure provides an ophthalmic composition comprising aphysiologically effective amount of an androgen, wherein saidcomposition is suitable for topical administration to an eye.

A method for treating an ocular condition associated with an androgendeficiency is also disclosed herein. The method comprises administeringan effective amount of an ophthalmic composition comprising aphysiologically effective amount of an androgen, wherein saidcomposition is suitable for topical administration to an eye, andwherein at least one symptom of the ocular condition is alleviated.

The compositions disclosed herein comprise an androgen. As used herein,unless otherwise specified, the term “androgen” includes alltestosterone and testosterone containing moieties, endogenous andsynthetic, as well as isomers, analogues, esters, and combinationsthereof. The androgen can be an endogenously produced steroidalandrogen, which includes, but is not limited to, testosterone (i.e.,(17β)-17-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3-one), dihydrotestosterone (DHT),dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, androstenediol, andandrosterone. Further included are testosterone-containing moieties, forexample, esters of testosterone, such as the cypionate, propionate,phenylpropionate, cyclopentylpropionate, isocarporate, enanthate,phenylactate, acetate, buciclate, heptanoate, caprate, isocaprate, anddecanoate esters, and other synthetic androgens such as oxymetholone,17α-methylnortestosterone, and 7-methylnortestosterone and its acetateester.

The ocular condition can be any condition of an eye, eye lid, gland, orskin surrounding the eye resulting from a local or systemic androgendeficiency. In certain embodiments, the ocular condition is blepharitis.Androgen deficiency can occur for a variety of reasons, for instance,during menopause or as a result of the natural aging process. Androgendeficiency can be due to a disease or condition, such as Sjögren'ssyndrome.

The patient to be treated can be any mammal of any age, or gender. Themammal can be a human, dog, cat, sheep, cow, etc. in need of treatment.In certain embodiments, the patient to be treated is a human, male orfemale.

A physiologically effective amount refers to an amount of a substancethat is sufficient to achieve the intended purpose or effect. Variousbiological factors can influence the amount required to be effective,for instance, age, gender, severity of the underlying condition, andoverall health of the patient. As used herein, a dosage is consideredeffective if it prevents, reduces, or eliminates the symptoms associatedwith the ocular condition to be treated.

The androgen can be present in the ophthalmic compositions describedherein in an amount of about 0.001% to about 5% by weight (w/w), or fromabout 0.09% to about 2% by weight, or from about 0.01% to about 1.0%(w/w).

The disclosed compositions can be emulsions, solutions, suspensions,gels, ointments, occlusive films, or a sustained release films and theycan be preserved or non-preserved formulations. The compositions can beformulated as eye drops, creams, ointments, and films that can beapplied to an eye. The formulations can be administered to the eye, theupper eye lid, the lower eye lid, or a combination thereof. Topicaladministration of the compositions provides treatment at the site of thecondition with minimal systemic levels of the medicament.

Listed in Table 1 are examples of formulation ingredients and exemplaryconcentrations.

TABLE 1 Composition Function Ingredient (% w/w) Active testosterone0.01-1.0   Thickener carbomer, sodium 0-3.0 carboxymethylcellulose,methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol,zanthan gum Neutralizing sodium hydroxide, organic bases 0-2.0 AgentEmulsifier polysorbate 20, polysorbate 40, 0-2.0 polysorbate 60,polysorbate 80, POE-40-stearate, Pemulen ® and other polymericemulsifiers. Lipophilic castor oil, squalane, isostearyl 0-80  Vehicleisostearate, isopropyl myristate, mineral oil, silicone oil,caprylic/capric triglycerides, cetyl alcohols, stearyl alcoholsCo-solvents diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, 0-80  propylene glycol,dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycolBuffering sodium citrate dihydrate, boric acid, 0-2   Agent monosodiumphosphate, monohydrate, sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate, sodiumphosphate monobasic monohydrate Tonicity Agent Glycerin, erythritol,mannitol, 0-3   potassium chloride, sodium chloride, SolubilizerCyclodextin, alpha-cyclodextrin, 0-10  beta-cyclodextrin, gamma-cyclodextrin, hydroxypropyl-beta- cyclodextrin, Sulfobutyl ether-β-cyclodextrin (Captisol ®) Demulcent carboxymethylcellulose sodium, 0-10 hydroxypropyl methylcellulose hydroxyethyl cellulose, methylcellulose,polyvinyl alcohol, povidone, glycerin, propylene glycol, PEG 300, PEG400 Preservative benzalkonium chloride, PURITE ®, 0-2.0 and otherophthalmic preservatives Plasticizer Silicone oils, isostearyl alcohol,cetyl 0-5.0 alcohol, glycerin Occlusive Agent silicone oils, petrolatum,waxes 0-80  Film Former acrylate/octylacrylamide copolymer, 0-10 poly(ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate), chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol,polyisobutylene, polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer, silicongum, polyvinylpyrrolidone, other sustained release polymeric filmsHydrophilic water 0-99  Vehicle

The emulsions of the disclosed compositions can be stabilized using oneor more polyelectrolytes from the family of cross-linked polyacrylates,such as carbomers and PEMULEN® (Lubrizol). Pemulens are high molecularweight co-polymers of acrylic acid and a long chain alkyl methacrylatecross-linked with allyl ethers of pentaerythritol. They contain not lessthan about 52% and not more than about 62% of carboxylic acid groups.The viscosity of a neutralized 1.0% aqueous dispersion is between about9,500 and about 26,500 centipoise. Additional emulsifiers include, butare not limited to, polysorbate-80, POE-40-Stearate, polysorbate-20,polysorbate 40, polysorbate-60, and a combination thereof in an amountof about 0% to about 4% or about 0.01 to about 2.0% by weight of thecomposition.

In some embodiments, the composition comprises a lipophilic vehicle suchas, for example, castor oil, squalane, diethylene glycol monoethylether, propylene glycol, isostearyl isostearate, isopropyl myristate,dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol, dipropyleneglycol, mineral oil, silicone oil, caprylic/capric triglycerides, cetylalcohols, stearyl alcohols, and a combination thereof. The lipophilicvehicle can be present in an amount of about 0% to about 85%, or about1% to about 50%, or about 2% to about 15% of the composition by weight.

The disclosed compositions can comprise a neutralizing agent such assodium hydroxide and organic bases in an amount of about 0 to about 2.5%by weight of the composition.

In certain embodiments, the composition may include a demulcent such ascarboxymethylcellulose sodium, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose,hydroxyethyl cellulose, methylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, povidone,glycerin, propylene glycol, PEG 300, PEG 400, and a combination thereof.The demulcent can be present in an amount of about 0 to about 10%, orabout 2%, 5%, 7%, or 9%, by weight of the composition.

In some embodiments, the composition comprises a tonicity agent such assodium chloride, glycerin, mannitol, potassium chloride, erythritol, anda combination thereof, in an amount of about 0 to about 4% or about0.01% to about 3% by weight of the composition.

In some embodiments, the composition may include one or more bufferingagents. Suitable buffering agents include, but are not limited to,phosphates, citrates, acetates, borates, and combinations thereof. Theamount of buffer component employed is sufficient to maintain the pH ofthe composition in a range of about 6 to about 8, or from about 6.5 toabout 7.5. In certain embodiments, the buffer is present in an amount ofabout 0 to about 2.0% by weight of the composition.

In certain embodiments, the composition includes a thickener orviscosity agent. The viscosity agent can be selected from the groupconsisting of carbomer, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, zanthangum, and a combination thereof. The viscosity agent can be present in anamount of about 0% to about 4% or about 0.01% to about 3.0% by weight ofthe composition.

In certain embodiments, the composition includes a solubilizer orsolubility enhancing agent. The solubilizer or solubility enhancingagent can be selected from the group consisting of Cyclodextin,alpha-cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin, gamma-cyclodextrin,hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin, Sulfobutyl ether-β-cyclodextrin(Captisol®) and a combination thereof. The solubilizer or solubilityenhancing agent can be present in an amount of about 0% to about 10%. Insome embodiments, the solubilizer or solubility enhancing agent can bepresent in an amount of about 0.01% to about 7.0%. In some embodiments,the solubilizer or solubility enhancing agent can be present in anamount of about 0.1 to about 4% by weight of the composition.

The composition can be administered topically in the form of a solution(i.e., drops), cream, ointment, film, or the like. The composition canbe administered to a left eye, a right eye, or both eyes. When thecomposition is administered as a solution, a drop of solution shoulddisperse readily upon contact with a tear solution.

The compositions of, or used in, the present disclosure may include oneor more other components in amounts effective to provide one or moreuseful properties and/or benefits. For example, although the presentcompositions may be substantially free of added preservative components,in other embodiments, the present compositions include effective amountsof preservative components. Examples of such preservative componentsinclude, without limitation, PURITE® (Allergan, Irvine, Calif.),quaternary ammonium preservatives such as benzalkonium chloride (“BAC”or “BAK”) and polyoxamer; biguanidebigunanide preservatives such aspolyhexamethylene biguanidebiguandide (PHMB); methyl and ethyl parabens;hexetidine; chlorite components, such as stabilized chlorine dioxide,metal chlorites and the like; other ophthalmically acceptablepreservatives and mixtures thereof. The concentration of thepreservative component, if any, in the present compositions is aconcentration effective to preserve the composition, and (depending onthe nature of the particular preservative used) is often and generallyused in a range of about 0% to about 4.0% by volume or about 0.1% toabout 2.0% by volume of the composition.

In certain embodiments, the composition can be in the form of a film,such as an occlusive film or a sustained release film. Also contemplatedare liquids that dry to form films. Where films are employed, the filmswill be in the range of at least about 0.5 mm×0.5 mm, usually about 3-10mm×5-10 mm with a thickness of about 0.1-1.0 mm for ease of handling.The size and form of the film can be used to control the rate ofrelease. Such compositions can comprise one or more film forming agentssuch as acrylate/octylacrylamide copolymer, poly(ethyl acrylate, methylmethacrylate), chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol, polyisobutylene,polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer, silicon gum,polyvinylpyrrolidone, other sustained release polymeric films, and acombination thereof. The film forming agent can be present in an amountof about 0% to about 10% by weight of the composition.

The frequency, duration, and dosage of the administration are determinedby the prescribing physician. The dosage can vary depending on thedosage form. When the composition is a solution, for example, 1, 2, 3,or more drops can be administered per eye per administration. Frequencyof administration can be one or more times daily (such as once, twice,three, or four or more times daily), bi-weekly, and/or monthly. Durationof administration can continue until the condition to be treated isresolved, that is, until one or more symptoms of the ocular conditionare reduced or eliminated. Accordingly, the composition can beadministered for hours, days, weeks, months, and years.

A symptom is considered to be alleviated if it is prevented, reduced oreliminated. A symptom is prevented in a patient that typicallyexperiences a particular symptom with the ocular condition (or ifpatients similarly situated typically experience a particular symptom)and the patient does not experience the onset of the symptom followingadministration of the disclosed composition. A reduction of a symptom isconsidered achieved if there is a 5%, 10%, 20%, 50%, 75%, 90% or morereduction in the severity or duration of one or more symptom associatedwith the ocular condition, in a patient. An elimination of one or moresymptoms associated with the ocular condition is achieved when it ceasesto be present or substantially present in a patient.

Certain embodiments of the disclosed compositions incorporate a localanesthetic, which can be selected from the group of ambucaine,amolanone, amylocaine, benoxinate, benzocaine, betoxycaine, biphenamine,bupivacaine, butacaine, butamben, butanilicaine, butethamine,butoxycaine, carticaine, chloroprocaine, cocaethylene, cocaine,cyclomethycaine, dibucaine, dimethysoquin, dimethocaine, diperodon,dycyclonine, ecgonidine, ecgonine, ethyl chloride, etidocaine,beta-eucaine, euprocin, fenalcomine, formocaine, hexylcaine,hydroxytetracaine, isobutyl p-aminobenzoate, leucinocaine mesylate,levoxadrol, lidocaine, mepivacaine, meprylcaine, metabutoxycaine, methylchloride, myrtecaine, naepaine, octacaine, orthocaine, oxethazaine,parethoxycaine, phenacaine, phenol, piperocaine, piridocaine,polidocanol, pramoxine, prilocaine, procaine, propanocaine,proparacaine, propipocaine, propoxycaine, psuedococaine, pyrrocaine,ropivacaine, salicyl alcohol, tetracaine, tolycaine, trimecaine,zolamine, and salts thereof. The concentration of the local anestheticin the compositions described herein can be therapeutically effective,meaning the concentration is adequate to provide a therapeutic benefitwithout inflicting harm to the patient.

The compositions can further comprise an opthalmologically acceptableanti-inflammatory agent, such as any non-steroidal anti-inflammatorydrug (NSAID) in an amount effective to reduce inflammation in an eye.Non-limiting examples include agents that inhibit the cycloxygenase(COX)-1 and/or -2 enzyme, including but not limited to propionic acidssuch as naproxen, flurbiprofen, oxaprozin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen,fenoprofen; ketorolac tromethamine; acetic acid derivatives such assulindac, indomethacin, and etodolac; phenylacetic acids such asdiclofenac, bromfenac, and suprofen; arylacetic prodrugs such asnepafenac, and amfenac; salicyclic acids, such as aspirin, salsalate,diflunisal, choline magnesium trisalicylate (CMT); para-aminophenolderivatives such as acetaminophen; naphthylalkanones such as nabumetone;enolic acid derivatives such as piroxicam and meloxicam; femanates suchas mefenamic acid, meclofenamate and flufenamic acid; pyrroleaceticacids such as tolmetin; and pyrazolones such as phenylbutazone; COX-2selective inhibitors such as celecoxib, valdecoxib, parecoxib,etoricoxib, and luaricoxib; including all esters and pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof. A steroidal anti-inflammatory agent can alsobe incorporated, in certain embodiments, and can include, withoutlimitation, hydrocortisone, cortisone, prednisolone, and prednisone.

Antimicrobial agents suitable for use in the disclosed compositionsinclude, but are not limited to, antibiotics such as aminoglycosidessuch as gentamycin, kanamycin, neomycin, and vancomycin; amphenicolssuch as chloramphenicol; cephalosporins, such as cefazolin HCl;penicillins such as ampicillin, penicillin, carbenicillin, oxycillin,methicillin; lincosamides such as lincomycin; polypeptide antibioticssuch as polymixin and bacitracin; tetracyclines such as tetracycline;quinolones such as ciproflaxin, etc.; sulfonamides such as chloramine T;and sulfones such as sulfanilic acid as the hydrophilic entity; as wellas anti-viral drugs, e.g. acyclovir, gancyclovir, vidarabine,azidothymidine, dideoxyinosine, and dideoxycytosine. Antifungal agentsand any other opthalmically suitable antimicrobials are contemplatedherein as well.

Table 2, 3, and 4 provide non-limiting exemplary eye drop, cream, andfilm formulations, respectively.

TABLE 2 Ingredient Function % w/w testosterone active 0.03 castor oillipophilic vehicle 2.0  Pemulen TR-1 emulsifier 0.15 polysorbate 80emulsifier 0.1  sodium hydroxide neutralizing Agent QS pH 7.3 Glycerindemulcent/tonicty 1.0  agent mannitol tonicity 2.0  PURITE ®preservative 0.01 Water hydrophilic vehicle QS 100

TABLE 3 Ingredient Function % w/w testosterone active 0.05 squalanelipophilic vehicle 12.0 diethylene glycol lipophilic vehicle 3.0monoethyl ether Pemulen TR-1 emulsifier 0.1 Polsorbate 80 emulsifier 0.1Carbomer thickener 0.1 Sodium hydroxide neutralizing Agent QS pH 6.5PURITE ® preservative 0.01 Water hydrophilic vehicle QS 100

TABLE 4 Ingredient Function % w/w testosterone active 0.05 squalanelipophilic vehicle 10 diethylene glycol lipophilic vehicle 10 monoethylether Pemulen TR-2 emulsifier 0.2 Glycerin plasticizer 4.0 Isostearylalcohol plasticizer 1.0 acrylate/octylacrylamide film former 2.5copolymer Carbomer thickener 0.1 Sodium hydroxide neutralizing agent QSpH 6.5 PURITE ® preservative 0.01 Water hydrophilic vehicle QS 100

Tables 5 and 6 set forth additional non-limiting exemplary formulationscontemplated by the practice of the invention.

TABLE 5 Ingredient Grade Formulation A Formulation B Testosterone USP,0.02 0.03 PhEur Castor oil USP, 0.25 0.5 PhEur Polyoxyl 40 stearate NF,PhEur 0.25 0.5 Polysorbate 80 USP, 0.25 0.5 PhEur Sulfobutyl ether-β-0.25 0.3 cyclodextrin (Captisol ®) Glycerin USP, 1.5 1.5 PhEur Carbomercopolymer NF 0.1 0.1 type A (Pemulen ™ TR2) Boric acid NF 0.6 0.6 Sodiumhydroxide USP, q.s to pH 7.4 q.s to pH 7.4 PhEur Purified water USP, qsqs PhEur

TABLE 6 C D E F % % % % G Ingredient (w/w) (w/w) (w/w) (w/w) % (w/w)Testosterone 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.1 0.3 Castor oil 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25Polyoxyl 40 stearate 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 Polysorbate 80 0.25 0.250.25 0.25 0.25 Sulfobutyl ether-β- 0.12 0.25 0.36 1.25 3.75 cyclodextrin(Captisol ®) Glycerin 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.0 Carbomer copolymer 0.1 0.1 0.10.1 0.1 type A (Pemulen ™ TR2) Boric acid 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 Sodiumhydroxide Q.S to Q.S to Q.S to Q.S to Q.S to pH pH 7.4 pH 7.4 pH 7.4 7.4pH 7.4 Purified water Q.S. Q.S. Q.S. Q.S. Q.S.

Example 1 Treatment Example

A 50 year old male presents with bilateral redness, inflammation andirritation of the eye. He is diagnosed with blepharitis and treated withthe composition disclosed in Table 2. After 3 days of treatment thesymptoms are diminished and after 1 week of treatment, the symptoms areeliminated.

Example 2 Alternate Treatment Example

A 55 year old post-menopausal female presents with ongoing irritation,redness and matter accumulation in both eyes. She is diagnosed withblepharitis and treated with the composition disclosed in Table 3. After2 days she experiences a reduction in irritation and redness and within1 week experiences a complete cessation of symptoms.

Example 3 Alternate Treatment Example

A 47 year old man is diagnosed with blepharitis. He is treated with thecomposition disclosed in Table 4 for 2 weeks and experiences anelimination of all symptoms associated with the condition.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities ofingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions,and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understoodas being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly,unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth inthe specification and attached claims are approximations that may varydepending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by thepresent invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit theapplication of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims,each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of thenumber of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary roundingtechniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameterssetting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, thenumerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported asprecisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently containscertain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation foundin their respective testing measurements.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar referents used in the context ofdescribing the invention (especially in the context of the followingclaims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural,unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as ashorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, eachindividual value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein isintended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose alimitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No languagein the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimedelement essential to the practice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each groupmember may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combinationwith other members of the group or other elements found herein. It isanticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, ordeleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability.When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemedto contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written descriptionof all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

Certain embodiments of this invention are described herein. Of course,variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Theinventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations asappropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practicedotherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, thisinvention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited in theclaims using consisting of or consisting essentially of language. Whenused in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, thetransition term “consisting of” excludes any element, step, oringredient not specified in the claims. The transition term “consistingessentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified materialsor steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novelcharacteristic(s). Embodiments of the invention so claimed areinherently or expressly described and enabled herein.

In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the presentinvention. Other modifications that may be employed are within the scopeof the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation,alternative configurations of the present invention may be utilized inaccordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the present inventionis not limited to that precisely as shown and described.

Specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited in theclaims using consisting of or consisting essentially of language. Whenused in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, thetransition term “consisting of” excludes any element, step, oringredient not specified in the claims. The transition term “consistingessentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified materialsor steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novelcharacteristic(s). Embodiments of the invention so claimed areinherently or expressly described and enabled herein.

What is claimed:
 1. An ophthalmic emulsion comprising an activeingredient, the active ingredient consisting of a physiologicallyeffective amount of testosterone, and castor oil, wherein said emulsionis suitable for topical administration to an eye; and wherein thetestosterone is present in the emulsion in an amount from about 0.01 w/w% to about 0.30 w/w %.
 2. The emulsion of claim 1 wherein testosteroneis present in the emulsion in an amount from about 0.01 w/w % to about0.10 w/w %.
 3. The emulsion of claim 1 wherein testosterone is presentin the emulsion in an amount from about 0.01 w/w % to about 0.05 w/w %.4. The emulsion of claim 1, wherein the emulsion further comprises anadditional constituent selected from the group consisting of athickener, neutralizing agent, emulsifier, buffering agent, tonicityagent, demulcent, preservative, plasticizer, occlusive agent, filmformer, and a combination thereof.
 5. The emulsion of claim 1, furthercomprising a solubility enhancing agent.
 6. The emulsion of claim 1wherein the castor oil is present in the emulsion in an amount of about0.25 w/w %.
 7. A method for treating an ocular condition resulting froman androgen deficiency comprising topically administering an effectiveamount of the ophthalmic composition of claim 1, wherein saidcomposition is suitable for topical administration to an eye, whereinthe ocular condition is blepharitis, and wherein at least one symptom ofthe ocular condition is alleviated.
 8. The method of claim 7, whereinthe carrier in the composition of claim 1 further comprises anadditional constituent selected from the group consisting of athickener, neutralizing agent, emulsifier, lipophilic vehicle, bufferingagent, tonicity agent, demulcent, preservative, plasticizer, occlusiveagent, film former, and a combination thereof.
 9. The method of claim 7,wherein the composition of claim 1 further comprises an agent selectedfrom the group consisting of an anti-inflammatory, antibiotic,analgesic, anesthetic, lubricating agent, soothing agent, and acombination thereof.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein symptomsassociated with the ocular condition are reduced.
 11. The method ofclaim 7, wherein symptoms associated with the ocular condition areeliminated.
 12. The method of claim 7, wherein the administration isrepeated until one or more symptoms of the ocular condition are reduced.13. The method of claim 7, wherein the administration is repeated untilone or more symptoms of the ocular condition are eliminated.
 14. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the composition is administered to the eye,upper lid, lower lid, and a combination thereof.